Nagore Dargah Tamil Nadu

The Nagore Dargah of Meeran Sahib Abdul Qadir Shahul Hamid Badshah is a spiritual and scared shrine in South India . It is one of the biggest popular pilgrimage centers for Muslims in Tamil Nadu. It can be reached through a short drive from Nagapattinam, Nagore seems to be a busy pilgrimage, with bus – loads of tourists arriving from all over the state. The features of this famous Dargah include beautiful domed arches and lovely minarets. The Dargah is also visited by Hindus and is a fine example of the harmonious co – existence of Hindu – Muslim communities.

The Nagore Dargah shrines are situated at three locations namely Nagore, Vanjur and Silladi. The main campus is at Nagore, spread over an area of about five acres, which is enclosed by a compound wall, with four impressive entrances, one each on the north, south, east and west. In front of the western gate, just outside the compound, is a large tower, 131 feet tall, called ‘Periya Minara’.

The Inside of the Dargah

Nagore Dargah literature discloses that Tanjore King Pratap Singh built ‘Periya Minara’ around 1760 AD, about 200 years after the death of Meeran Sahib. He is said to have built it in appreciation of having received the grace of Meeran Sahib. Inside the compound of the main campus, the golden dome building houses three tombs in three separate chambers. The doors of these chambers are made of silver. In the tombs lay buried the mortal remains of Meeran Sahib, his son Syed Mohammed Yusuf and his daughter – in – law Saeeda Sultana Biwi.

Beside the tomb of Meeran Sahib is placed a golden box. The contents of the golden box unexpectedly are a pair of wooden slippers, believed to have been used by Meeran Sahib. The legend says that, once a carpenter suffering from disease approached Meeran Sahib requesting him to cure him, which Meeran Sahib reportedly did by the grace of Allah. The gratified carpenter made from the finest wood, a pair of slippers.

Adjacent to the golden dome building is the ‘Peer Mandap’ where the ‘Peer of the Dargah’ stays fasting for three days during festive season of the Dargah. Further away is a mosque where prayers are held regularly. Friday congregations in this Mosque are massive. About 2-km away due north from the main campus is the Vanjur Shrine where Meeran Sahib reportedly stayed in meditation for 40 days inside an underground cave. About a kilometre east of the main campus is located the Silladi Shrine, overlooking the Bay of Bengal.

Hindu Rituals at the Dargah

The Nagore shrine is interesting, with strong Hindu influences in both architecture and rituals. Many rituals followed here like applying sandal wood paste, holy water, Prasada ( blessed items collected after worship ) and tonsuring the head are borrowed from the Hindu tradition. This is also apparent in the playing of ‘Nadaswaram’ and ‘Shehnai’ ( Indian wind instruments ) music.

Festivals celebrated at Dargah

Every year here at the dargah during the lunar month of Jumada al – Thani, the Nagore Dargah Shrines celebrate a festive season known as ‘Kandhuri Urs’. Pilgrims including non-Muslims, from far and wide come for ‘ziyarat’.Kandhuri Urs marks the death anniversary of Meeran Sahib.

The Urs commences on the first of Jumada – al – Akhira’ when pilgrims assemble at Meera Pally ( 17th century mosque ) in Nagapattinam. They proceed towards Nagore in procession with a Rath that carries flags of the Dargah. On reaching Nagore Dargah Complex, the flags are hoisted marking the inauguration of Kandhuri Urs. Votaries of Meeran Sahib start performing their troth ( pledged word ).

On the tenth day a grand procession again starts at Nagapattinam; this time from ‘Koottadi’, an open ground solely retained for this festivity. The procession carries Koodu, a pot containing Sandalwood paste. The procession ends at the tomb of Meeran Sahib and the sandal paste is spread over his tomb. On the fourteenth day the flags are quietly pulled down marking the end of the festive season.

How to reach the Mosque

Through Airways – The nearest airport is at Trichy situated in Tamilnadu at a distance of 150 – km from Nagore.

Through Railways- The nearest railway station is at Nagapattinam, at a distance of 4 – km from the Dargah.